Maurice Rose | |
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Born | Middletown, Connecticut, U.S. | November 26, 1899
Died | March 30, 1945 Near Paderborn, Nazi Germany | (aged 45)
Place of burial | |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | Colorado National Guard United States Army |
Years of service | 1916 (National Guard) 1917–1919 (Army) 1920–1945 (Army) |
Rank | Major General |
Service number | 0-8439 |
Unit | Infantry Branch Cavalry Branch Armor Branch |
Commands | 3rd Battalion, 13th Armored Regiment Combat Command A, 2nd Armored Division 3rd Armored Division |
Battles/wars | World War I Occupation of the Rhineland World War II † |
Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (3) Legion of Merit (2) Purple Heart (2) Bronze Star Medal (2) Legion of Honor (France) Croix de Guerre (France) Croix de Guerre (Belgium) |
Maurice Rose (November 26, 1899 – March 30, 1945) was a career officer in the United States Army who attained the rank of major general. A veteran of World War I and World War II, Rose was commanding the 3rd Armored Division when he was killed in action in Germany during the closing days of the Second World War.
The son and grandson of rabbis from Poland, Rose was at the time of his death the highest-ranking Jew in the U.S. Army, though he was not especially religious, did not publicize his faith, and claimed in his Army records to be Protestant. He was also the highest-ranking American killed by enemy fire during World War II in the European Theater of Operations. Rose was married twice and had two sons.
The 3rd Armored Division's official history of World War II memorialized Rose by stating "He was over six feet tall, erect, dark haired, and had finely chiseled features. He was firm and prompt of decision, brooking no interference by man, events or conditions in order to destroy the enemy."